The week-long annual Hornbill festival displaying various facets of Naga life and culture came to an end Monday evening with spectacular display of fire works presentation of prizes to cultural troupes and musical bands in different categories.
During the closing function held in the main arena of the amphitheatre of Kisama Heritage village, Parliamentary secretary for tourism and culture gave away prizes to various folk cultural troupes for their presentation and ceremoniously lit the bonfire amidst battle cries of Naga dancers.
The Hornbill National Rock Contest provided the last excitement where a capacity crowd sat through after a late start, to witness 19 bands vying for the top three prizes.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio gave away prizes to winners of the rock contest, also held in the village.
Nagaland’s OFF won the title and cash amount of Rs.5 lakh presented by Airtel.
Hypnosis from New Delhi was placed second and won Rs.1.5 lakh while Kaivaalya from Kolkata was placed third and also won cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh. All the cash prizes were sponsored by Airtel. The Hornbill Music Festival is an integral event of the Hornbill Festival 2009, organized by the Music Task Force (YRS), Nagaland. The production and events are managed by XL.
Altogether 19 top profile Bands Demenitia , Melodrama ,OFF, Sunep Assemble Band , Incipit ,Kronik and Eastern Hatz all from Nagaland ,Kanglasha and Cleave, both from Manipur, Kalika , Darjeeling 2.Baraka, Darjeeling, Cyncial Recess, Kolkata, Silverscreen, Kolkata and Kaivaalya ,Kolkata, all from West Bengal Harmonic Curtains, and Lucid Recess , Guwahati, both from Assam , Pip Of the Fourth Mother, Shillong, Meghayala , Church OV Blood , Arunachal Pradesh and Hypnosis , New Delhi from 6 states – Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur , Meghalaya and West Bengal and a band from national capital Delhi took part in the four –day Hornbill National Rock contest, 2009.
The judges for the competition were Nondon, Dr. Wabang Pongener and Dirang Lungalang.
As most of the activities of the Hornbill festival were held at the heritage village, 10 km south of here, Kohima Chambers of Commerce and Industry organised a week-long Night Carnival in Kohima facilitating people to taste variety of food items.
Winners & prize money of rock contest
1st Prize 5 Lacs and Casio WK 3300 Synthesizer OFF , Nagaland
2nd Prize 1.5 Lacs Hypnosis , New Delhi
3rd Prize 1 Lacs Kaivaalya , Kolkata
Individual prizes
Best Lead Guitar Rs. 25,000 Temjen Jamir (OFF)
Best Bass Guitar Rs. 25, 000 Akum Aier (OFF)
Best Drummer Rs. 25, 000 Devraj (Silver screen, Kolkata)
Best Vocal Rs. 25, 000 Amit Mandal(Hypnosis, New Delhi)
Best Original music Rs.10,000 Sunep Assemble Band , Nagaland